Comparing the gendered nature of visits, recreation and physical activities in two Catalan (Spain) protected natural areas: natural and peri-urban parks

This article examines gendered patterns in physical activity (PA) across two Catalan protected natural areas (PNAs): a peri-urban and a natural park. It reveals that both parks display gender-specific differences in PA types, intensity and motivations. Women engage in lower-intensity activities, often preferring companionship owing to safety concerns, while men are more likely to engage in solo or high-intensity activities such as cycling and mountain biking. Women's motivations are often centred around relaxation and landscape enjoyment, reflecting gendered societal roles that influence recreational preferences and constraints in outdoor environments. The study suggests that these PNAs, as providers of cultural ecosystem services, serve not only recreational functions but also as spaces where gender norms are both challenged and reinforced. Managerial recommendations emphasise designing PNA facilities and programmes that address safety, accessibility and inclusivity, fostering equitable access to outdoor PA and promoting a diverse and gender-sensitive use of natural settings. Future research is recommended to further examine socio-economic factors, motivations and non-participant barriers to better support gender equity in PA across diverse park settings. Keywords: outdoors physical activity; recreation; protected natural areas; gender inequalities and differences, managerial implications.